Animal trap



- W. A. GIBBS Aug. 16, 1932.

ANIMAL TRAP Filed Oct. 24, 1930 3 Sheets-Sheet Aug. 16, 1932. w. A. GIBBS ANIMAL TRAP Filed OO't. 24. 1930 3 Sheets-Shed 2 L I L 7 Wager/4 Aug. 16," 1932.

w. A. GIBBS LFN . lued-2g It -tra of the type indicate Patented Aug. 16, i

UNITED srATas mm o1 =p 1g wanna nonms. or cnnsrnn, rm'msnvam Qumran firm Application in October 24,1930. Serial a... 490,982.

This invention relates to improvements in animal traps, and particularly to steel traps having jaws which are adapted to grip; a leg of the animal caught. The invention has for '5 its object the provision in such traps of a feature whereby the breaking of the animals leg is prevented-p Animals caught in steel traps'frequently break the leg caught in the tn?!1 by threshing in around after being caught. is is very bjectionable because they frequently escape after the leg is broken. The liability of the le being broken may be g N sulmtantially eliminated y providing means i above the gripping point of the jaws to brace the leg, and thereby point where the leg is gripped. The present invention provides suc means, and the prinbe ada ted ciplesithereof may 6 invention will be more clearly understood .from the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying 1 drawing which discloses several embodiments of the inwention.

In the drawing: Fig. lis an end view in elevation of a deviceconstructed in accordancewith the invention; g

Fig. 2 is aside view in elevation of the device of Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan'view of the device of Fig. 1

. 4 is an end elevational view of a modi- Fi fied 5mm ofthe deviceconstructed in accord- 4 ance with the invention;

Fig. 5 is' a view in side elevation of the device of Fig. 4;v and Fig. 6 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 4.

Referringto Figs. 1 to 3, the device distherein comprises a basemember 1.

closed which may take-the form of a strip of metal having its ends up-turned. A second base member 2 having the same general form as base 1 is disposed at right angles to base 1,

- and the two are fastened at their intersec;

tion in any sultable manner, such as b 4 means of rivet 3. The up-turned ends 0 base'.2 are each provided wftha pair of apertures adapted to receive the'curved ends of the jaws ofthe trap. The'jaws 4 and 5 may comrod 7 is inserted. v 3, this rod takes the form of a right-ang e W eatly reduced and prevent strain at the to any animal cape. In accordance with my invention, I incorporate in the disclosed prise a pair of steel strips curved as shown and having their ends tapered so that they may be inserted in the openings provided in base 2. These-jaws, as will be apparent, are adapted to fpivotally rotate, the ends of base I 2. serving as the pivot point. 1

Base. 2 has a portion 6 thereof cut and raised to provide an opening through which As clearly shown in Fi member, having one arm held by base 2 and the other arm hooked topass through an aperture in base 1. A yoke member 8 has its lower portion formed to provide a pair of apertured wings for pivotally'mounting the same upon rod 7 L This yoke has'an opening 9 therein sufiiciently large to enclose the {:ws of the trap and the brace members to described later; A coil spring 10 is wound about, rod 7, and has one end'thereof extending beneath base 1', while its other end engages the lower surface of yoke 8, as cleary shown in Fig. 2. This spring tends to urge the yoke upward to thereby force the jawsof the trap together, as will be more to provide depending apertured wings 15 so and 16 for receiving the extending shoul ders 12 and 13. The treadle is, therefore, pivotally mounted upon support rear portion .17 of the treadle serves as a catch for latching a tongue or trigger 1'8 when the trap is set. This trlgger may com- 11. v The prise a-single strip of metal having one end curved and passing through an opening in the end of base 1, as clearly shown in Fig. .1.

Thus far, the description has clearly set 1 forth the details of construction. of asteel trap. Such a trap, however, ha's'the above: mentioned objectionable feature that the'ani mal frequently breaks its leg and may estrap,; one form of a device which serves as abrace for the gripped leg to prevent breaking of the same. In the present instance, this device takes the form of a pair of metal strips 19 and 20 having the same curvature as the jaws of the trap, and having their ends bent in the manner shown in Fig. 2. One of these strips is mounted upon each of the jaws of the trap, and the ends thereof are fastened to the jaws in any suitable manner, such as by means of rivets.

'To set the trap disclosed, it is merely necessary to force yoke 8 downward against the action of spring 10 and separate the jaws of the trap. Trigger 18 may then be placed over the adjacent jaw and latched in place under treadle 14. It will be a parent that if an animal steps upon or isturbes the treadle, trigger 18 will be released, thereby allowing spring 10 to forciblyclose the jaws" of the trap through the medium of yoke 8.

When the jaws of the "trap are closed, sufii-' cient space remains between strips 19 and 20. so that the leg gripped by the jaws is firmly braced by these strips. Since the strips are disposed so as to brace the leg at a substantial height above the point at which, it-iS- gripped by the jaws, the strain which would otherwise be imposed upon the gripped leg,

due to the threshing about of the animal its efiorts to escape, is eliminated.

In Figs. 4 to 6, I have shown a modified form of my device. The trap disclosed in thesefigures is similar in construction to that disclosed in Figs. 1 to 3,-like parts being num-* bered alike, except that a pair of yokes 8 are provided instead of a single yoke. Base 2 has a pair of cut and raised portions 6 to provide for the pair yokes. Likewise, a pair of springs 10 are provided, onefor each yoke:

and tending to force the same upward to close the jawsof the trap. Instead of having a pair of rods 7 to pivotally mount the yokes on the base and to carry springs 10, a single U-sha d rod 7a may be used, as clearly illustrate Fig. 6. Otherwise, the trap, per se, in this modified form of the device is exactly similar in construction to the trap of Figs.

In this form of the device, a rod 21 is disposed in parallel relation 'with and above 7 base 1, and passes through an aperture in one end of base 1. This rod has an enlarged head 22 at one end, and itsopposite end is hooks shaped as at 23. A two-part brace comprising members 24 and 25 is provided, the said members having their ends formed so as to encircle rod 21 to pivotally mount the members on the rod. I The brace members may each be formed of a single piece of heavy wire, or the like, bent in the manner clearly illustrated on the drawing to provide a circular brace portion 26 when the parts are in closed position. A- coil spring 27 is wound about rod 21, and has one end 28 thereof hooked about one member of the brace, while the otherend 29 of the spring is hooked about the other member of the brace. It will be apparent that spring 27 will tend to force members leg .be eliminated.

the clamping members of the brace together.

Assuming that the device is to be set, the following procedure is followed. The clampmg mem apart against the action of spring- 27 until ers 24 and 25 of the brace are forced they lie in a horizontal plane. ,The yokes 8. are then forced downward against the-action posed. Should an animal step upon or othercourse, bereleased and allow the s rin to force both jaws of the ;tra and t ec amp together. Since t eaclampin portiorr'26, of the brace will firmly encircle t e'leg stantial'idis tance a ov ripping point g, ithe 'strain which would otherwise bdexert upon' theanimals leg at thatpointwill be --eliminatedp Therefore, anytendency: for the p, ltofbrj'eak as previously pointed put, It .will be. apparent thatadeviceconstructed. in accordance with myiiinvention may be simple in construction and;easily operated. Suc a device eliminatesentirelythe inlierent defect in prior art devices ofithis nature, Obviously, changes in the details" ofconstruction of the device may be made withouf'dewise disturb the treadle, the trigger will,of

parting from the spirit and scope of'the in-'- vention. .It is to be understood, therefore that such changes as are within the scope o the appended claims are contemplated and may be made.

I claim:

1. In an animal trap, a pair of jaws for gripping a leg of the animal caught, means comprising a brace formed to encircle the said leg at a substantial distance from the gripping point to brace the same and prevent breaking thereof at the gripping point, and common means for rendering said jaws and said first means inoperative until, said trap is sprung.

2. In an animal trap, a pair of jawsyfor gripping a leg of the animal caught, means comprlsmg a brace for bracing the said leg at a substantial distance from the gripping point to prevent breaking thereof at the gripping point, said brace being self-adjustable with respect to said jaws to brace the la in any position, and common means for ren ering said jaws and said first-means inoperative until said trap is sprung.

3. Inan animal trap, a pair of jaws for gripping a leg of the animal caught, means independent of said jaws for bracing the said leg at a Substantial distance from the grip ping point to prevent breaking thereof at the gripping saint, and common means for rendermg sai jaws and said first means inoperative until said trap is sprung.

A 5 4. In an animal trap, a pair of jaws for i i in ale of the animal caught, a twogr t bra ce fm bracing the said leg at a sub stantial distance from the gripping point to prevent breaking thereof at the gripping 10 point, said brace bein independent of said jaws and self-adjustab e with respect thereto, and a latch for holding said jaws and said brace open until said trap is sprun 5. In an animal trap, a pair of aws for gripping a leg of the animal caught, a twopart brace transversely straddling said jaws for bracing the said leg at a substantial dis-' tance from the grippmg point to prevent breaking thereof at the gripping point, and a 99 latch for holding said jaws and said brace open untilsaid trap is sprung. In an animal trap, a pair of jaws for gripping a leg of the animal caught, a brace comprising a pair of jaws disposed at an an- 35 gle to said gripping jaws for bracing the said e g at a substantial distance from the grip ping point to prevent breaking thereof at the grippin point, and means for holding said pairs 0 jaws open until the trap is sprung.

7. In an animal trap, a pair of jaws for gripping a leg of the animal caught, a brace comprising a pair of jaws transversely straddling said ipping jaws for bracing the said leg at a su stantial distance from the gripping point to prevent breaking thereof at the gripping point, said second-mentioned jaws being-engageable b said gripping jaws to hold them open, an a latcll: for holding said ip in jaws open untilt etra iss run gr p g WALTER A. GI BS. 

